23andMe bankruptcy, RTX 5060 Ti / RX 9060 XT leaks + more!

Summary

TechLinked Episode Summary
Title: 23andMe Bankruptcy, RTX 5060 Ti / RX 9060 XT Leaks + More!
Host/Author: Linus Media Group
Release Date: March 25, 2025

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1. 23andMe Files for Bankruptcy Amid Data Privacy Concerns

In a surprising turn of events, 23andMe, the pioneering consumer genetic testing company, has filed for bankruptcy nearly two decades after establishing itself as a leader in the industry. Despite announcing the bankruptcy, co-founder and CEO Anne Wojcicki stated, “[...] the company will continue to operate during the bankruptcy proceedings during which it will seek to sell its assets” (00:40).

This development has sparked widespread concern regarding the fate of the vast repository of personal genetic data 23andMe has amassed. While the company asserts that customer genetic data is anonymized, skepticism remains among experts. Privacy specialists are advising customers to delete their DNA data to safeguard their privacy. However, 23andMe counters that even account deletions do not fully erase the data, as “they’ll still retain a ton of data about you and your DNA” (01:10), casting further doubt on data security assurances.

2. Leaked Specifications for Nvidia RTX 5060 Ti and AMD RX9060 XT GPUs

Excitement is brewing in the GPU market with leaks surrounding Nvidia's upcoming RTX 5060 Ti and AMD's RX9060 XT graphics cards. TechLinked reports that known Twitter hardware leaker Momomo has unveiled images of HP's Omen desktops sporting the RTX 5060 Ti, which features 8GB of VRAM (02:00). Additionally, a 16GB variant of the Ti version was spotted in a Best Buy listing, indicating a range of options for consumers.

Nvidia is reportedly mandating that board partners maintain at least one graphics card model priced at MSRP, ensuring availability on the launch date, set for April 16 (02:30). Similarly, AMD's RX9060 XT is expected to come in both 8GB and 16GB VRAM variants, as revealed by Twitter leaker Harukaze5719 (02:45).

3. Google's Timeline Data Deletion Incident

Google has confirmed an incident where some users experienced accidental deletion of their data from Timeline, the Google Maps feature previously known as Location History. The company attributes the deletion to a "technical issue" but provided limited details, leading to speculation about the underlying cause (03:15).

This mishap follows Google's December 2023 announcement to transition Timeline data to on-device storage by default, urging users to back up their data. Despite numerous articles promoting this change, Google acknowledges that some users may not have successfully backed up their data, leaving them without access if affected by the deletion incident (03:45).

4. Android's Gemini Live AI Introduces Screen and Camera Sharing

Android users are now seeing the rollout of new features for Gemini Live AI, previously known as Project Astra. These updates include screen and camera sharing capabilities, enabling users to engage in more interactive AI-assisted conversations. The implementation of these features suggests a future where AI assistants can visually interpret user environments in real-time (04:20).

However, early reactions have been mixed, with some users expressing concerns about privacy and the intrusive nature of having an AI "look through your phone camera" during interactions (04:50).

5. Italian Court Orders Google to Block Pirate Websites via DNS Poisoning

In a significant legal decision, an Italian court has mandated that Google must block access to pirate websites listed under the country's piracy shield system. The court's directive involves replacing the original web addresses with fake ones on Google's public DNS service, a method known as DNS poisoning (05:20).

An Italian regulator lauded the ruling as a victory against piracy, though some find the outcome ironic considering Italy's historical association with organized crime (05:50). This development marks a critical step in the ongoing global battle against online piracy.

6. Nvidia GPU Drivers Causing Black Screen Issues Across RTX Series

Users have reported widespread issues with Nvidia's latest GPU drivers, which appear to be causing black screen problems not only on the new RTX 50 series GPUs but are also affecting the existing RTX 40 series (06:10). Multiple posts on Reddit highlight that rolling back to previous driver versions can temporarily resolve the issue, although this workaround prevents users from accessing the latest game optimizations and features (06:35).

These technical glitches have prompted speculation about the stability of Nvidia's driver updates and their impact on gamers’ experiences across different GPU generations (07:00).

7. Philips Hue Expands to Smart Doorbells

Philips Hue, under the ownership of Signify, is broadening its product line beyond RGB-enabled smart lights to include a smart doorbell. A recent app update references the Philips Hue smart doorbell, which intriguingly does not feature color-changing capabilities but includes interactive functionalities such as greeting visitors with questions like “Who are you?” (07:30).

This expansion signifies Philips Hue's efforts to integrate more comprehensive smart home solutions, although the specific functionalities and user experience of the smart doorbell remain to be fully seen (08:00).

8. Penn State’s Audible Enclaves: Revolutionizing Audio Privacy

Researchers at Penn State have developed a groundbreaking technology termed audible enclaves, which creates confined pockets of audible space where sound can be heard exclusively within designated areas. Utilizing self-bending ultrasound beams and nonlinear acoustics, this technology ensures that audio remains localized and isolated from surrounding environments (08:30).

While the scientific achievement is notable, there are playful concerns about the practical implications, such as the potential for chaotic auditory experiences in public spaces. The host humorously suggests that widespread adoption could lead to cities where auditory interactions become fragmented and unpredictable (09:00).

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Notable Quotes

• Anne Wojcicki, Co-founder and CEO of 23andMe: “[...] the company will continue to operate during the bankruptcy proceedings during which it will seek to sell its assets.” (00:40)

• Tech News Host on 23andMe Data Concerns: “23andMe say that even if you delete your account, they'll still retain a ton of data about you and your DNA, assuming you can still restore it from the recycle bin.” (01:10)

• Host on New GPU Pricing Strategy: “Nvidia's forcing their board partners to have at least one graphics card model priced at MSRP, and it has to be available to purchase on the launch date. I mean, have you ever heard of such a thing?” (02:30)

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Conclusion

This episode of TechLinked covered a broad spectrum of topics, from the unexpected bankruptcy of a major genetic testing company to the latest developments in GPU technology and innovative audio privacy solutions. The hosts provided insightful commentary interspersed with humor, making complex tech news accessible and engaging for listeners. Whether you're a gamer anticipating new hardware releases or a privacy advocate concerned about data security, this episode offers valuable information on the current state of technology and its evolving landscape.

Transcript

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See full [e-mail] oh, I'm sorry. You wanted some happy go lucky Positive Tech news yeah, well, tech news ain't your friend. I'm your friend. I'm just trying to protect you. We know each other. 23andMe the DNA testing company has filed for bankruptcy nearly 20 years after pioneering the consumer genetic testing industry while collecting a valuable hoard of personal data that would make Smog the Dragon blush. While the company says it will continue to operate during the bankruptcy proceedings during during which it will seek to sell its assets, co founder and CEO Anne Wojcicki announced she's stepping down so she can be better positioned to bid on the company herself. Now 23andMe says customers genetic data is anonymized, but no one's sure whether to believe that. And with the eventual fate of their genetic data uncertain, privacy experts are strongly advising customers to delete their DNA. How? Wouldn't that kill you? Oh, DNA data. Oh, it looked like don't do the first thing. Also, 23andMe say that even if you delete your account, they'll still retain a ton of data about you and your DNA, assuming you can still restore it from the recycle bin. Hey, who's ready for some new GPUs? These ones could be affordable. Kind of. I'm talking about the 60 tier cards. Nvidia's RTX 5060 and 5060 Ti have had some specs leak, courtesy of known Twitter hardware leaker Momomo, who posted a couple of HP's Omen desktops with an RTX 5060 Ti. Those models have 8 gigabytes of VRAM, but a 16 gigabyte variant of the Ti was spotted in a Best Buy listing, according to video cards with a Z.com, fun spelling, Nvidia's forcing their board partners to have at least one graphics card model priced at msrp, and it has to be available to purchase on the launch date. I mean, have you ever heard of such a thing? Video cards also purports to know some other specs of the cards, which are scheduled to launch on April 16, according to WXNOD on Twitter. But there were also leaks mentioning AMD's RX9060XT, which looks like it's also coming in 8 and 16 gigabyte variants, courtesy of yet another Twitter leaker, Harukaze5719. Do you think they get together on holidays? Google has confirmed it may have possibly accidentally deleted some user's data from Timeline, the Google Maps feature previously known as location history. In an email to affected users, the company said the deletion was caused by a technical issue, but did not elaborate further, forcing us to assume they were training a robot to deliver coffee in the server room. You could have done that in the company ball. Come on. The data snafu comes after some users already lost location history data after Google announced in December 2023 that it would be moved to on device storage by default, and they gave users instructions on how to back it up. There were lots of articles spreading the word about this, but you can't reach everyone and now Google says that if your data was deleted and you don't have a backup, you're hooped, bud. I mean, guys, Google's got a lot of data to keep track of. Have you seen your Google Drive pulling up Bilbo Baggins over here? Why shouldn't I keep it? You shouldn't keep using boring coding tutorials. Use our sponsor boot.dev, the best way to learn to code for backend web development. Because instead of making you sit through a lecture or a video tutorial, it drops you right into the action and gets your hands on the keyboard. And before you know it, you've already written some code. And that's only the beginning of your hidden power. Through online self paced exercises that feel like a riveting RPG, boot.dev will help you learn backend web dev from start to finish in the Python and Go programming languages. Because the smartest way to learn is to make sure you're never bored. And that won't happen while Boots is around. A powerful bear wizard that's been trained on each lesson rather than handing you the answers. If you get stuck, he'll ask you questions to help you understand that you had the answer inside you all along. Hmm. Still wary? They've got free course demos and a 30 day no questions asked refund policy. So click the link in the description box and use the code Techlink to check it out and get 25% off your first payment for boot.dev. that's 25% off your first month or your first year, depending on the subscription you choose. Look, some of these quick bits are gonna be happy, okay? Happy to see you. Boop. Android users are reporting that Google has started rolling out screen and camera sharing for its Gemini Live AI conversation mode. They're features that were previously shown off under the name Project Astra, promising a future where you can carry on a conversation with your AI assistant while it looks through your phone camera as if you're on one of the worst kind of video calls. And look, there's the sign. Uh oh wow. An Italian court has ruled that Google must block pirate websites listed under the country's piracy shield system, replacing their original web addresses with fake ones on Google's public DNS service, a tactic known as DNS poisoning. An Italian regulator's post on LinkedIn said celebrated the ruling as a win against piracy, which seems a little ironic given that Italy invented the mafia. Nvidia's latest GPU drivers have reportedly caused the black screen issues that affected some RTX 50 series GPUs to spread to the RTX 40 series, according to multiple Reddit posts from users suffering the same pain. Apparently rolling back to a previous driver sometimes fixes it, but. But then you're prevented from playing new games with up to date drivers. I don't know, maybe Jensen's just trying to teach us a lesson. You know, just cause that screen is dark doesn't mean your mind has to be. Imagine something in those inky depths. Oh God, it's coming this way. This was a mistake. The Philips Hue brand, which is now owned by Signify, is mostly made up of RGB enabled smart lights, but a reference to a Philips Hue smart doorbell was spotted in an app update. Interestingly, it doesn't change colors, but it does ask visitors who are you? What the was that? And Penn State researchers have developed technology that can create what they call audible enclaves, little pockets of physical space inside which audio can be heard and nowhere else. The scientists say they've achieved this using self bending ultrasound beams and nonlinear acoustics, which I'm not here to explain to you. I could, but I'm only here to warn that if this gets widely adopted, walking around in a city could sound like you're flipping through radio stations. And if people hear something they like, they could suddenly stop and then you got a sidewalk pile up on your hands. We must destroy this technology immediately to hear about more tech Abominations that shouldn't exist. Come back on Wednesday. What? Some of it will be happy. Whatever.